Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has entered into a partnership deal with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority (IARDA) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, to promote eco-tourism in the Kingdom.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is focused on increasing the readiness of tourism and environmental sites and creating opportunities based on development in the IARDA and the King Khalid Royal Reserve. Areas of Rawdat Khuraim and Thumama Park will also benefit from the partnership agreement.
The deal is part of the initiative to support tourist destinations, in line with the Kingdom’s Quality of Life Program, which was launched in 2018 to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors in the country by developing the necessary environment.
The MoU will also contribute to improving the coordination between agencies in preparing plans and programs for tourism attractions and investment, based on environmental and product marketing development.
Commenting on the agreement, Prince Saud bin Nahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism Regional Activation, said that the deal was one of the many methods to improve joint cooperation between government agencies to develop the country’s tourism sector.
Mr. Talal Al-Harigi, CEO of the IARDA, stated that the purpose of the agreement was to initiate integration with the national sectors for the development of eco-tourism, which would offer many opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), diversify the economic base of the local community and the environment, and create direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudis in the development and eco-tourism sectors.
“It also aims at strengthening the existing efforts to protect and develop the reserves, making them available for visits by local and global tourists, in order to achieve the desired goals for the establishment of royal reserves,” Mr. Mohammed added.
